Big Ten exploring bowl game at Yankee Stadium

Northwestern also looking at playing there

September 02, 2009|By Teddy Greenstein, Tribune reporter

The Big Ten is poised to make a meaningful bowl swap, replacing the Alamo with the Gator in its lineup.

But an even more intriguing possibility lurks. The Tribune has learned Big Ten officials have met with Yankee Stadium representatives to discuss a bowl game that would be played at the so-called "House that George Built."

Rudner cautioned that any bowl game at Yankee Stadium would not occur during the four-year cycle that will begin after the 2010 regular season. The NCAA has yet to certify Yankee Stadium, and the Big Ten is far along in negotiations with other bowls.

But Yankee Stadium officials made a solid case with athletic directors during spring meetings. One scenario would have a Big Ten team face a Big East opponent.

"Our ADs are very interested in learning more," Rudner said, "but there needs to be more study."

In addition, Northwestern is talking to officials in the Bronx about playing a regular-season game at Yankee Stadium. Athletic director Jim Phillips said it's something the school will "actively pursue."

The Yankees and Northwestern have two connections: Manager Joe Girardi is an alum and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner worked as an assistant coach in Evanston in 1955. Both have been involved in the discussions, Phillips said.

"Mr. Steinbrenner very much would like this to happen," Phillips added.

Phillips' top priority remains creating a regular-season game at Wrigley Field in either November 2010 (vs. Iowa or Illinois) or November 2011 (vs. Michigan or Rice). Phillips believes the field is large enough to host a football game safely, but questions remain about finances, alcohol sales, the opponent and practical matters such as locker rooms.

Phillips envisions the Yankee Stadium game taking place a year after the game at Wrigley Field.

Northwestern does play at Army in 2011, and for years Army played its home games at the old Yankee Stadium. But the Northwestern-Army date is Sept. 17, which could pose a baseball conflict.

Just as the Cubs have tried to boost revenue at Wrigley Field by hosting concerts and the 2009 NHL Winter Classic, the Yankees want to generate more cash from their new stadium. The team in February hired Mark Holtzman, a former marketing executive for the NFL, to make its push. Holtzman declined comment on the college football talks.

While the Big Ten studies the Yankee Stadium possibility, it plans to trot out its amended bowl lineup in the next few weeks.

The Rose, Capital One, Outback, Insight and Motor City will remain tie-ins, according to sources. But the Alamo Bowl, which has hosted a Big Ten team every year since 1995, has announced a four-year deal with the Pac-10. The Big 12 is likely to remain the opponent.

If the Gator Bowl replaces the Alamo, as expected, it would give the Big Ten a powerful four-game lineup (out of five played) on New Year's Day.

In another change, the Texas Bowl is poised to replace the Champs Sports Bowl for the No. 6 Big Ten bowl slot. A Big 12 opponent is likely.